Qsymia and Constipation: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Fee...
• August 17, 2016

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Started taking Qsymia in October of 2014. I'm 5'1", my weight was 218, 45 years old. Took the 7.5 dose for 8 months. Changed my eating habits and exercised more. My biggest thing was giving up soda, but it needed to be gone. As of May 2015, my weight was 135. I was very pleased, but after a year, I see the weight creeping back on. I'm back on the pills as of August 2016. Let's hope I can keep it off this time. Oh, and the only side effect I had was constipation."

• Cat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 9, 2024

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Mixed. Too early to tell. I've been on Qsymia for about six weeks now. For the first two weeks, I was on the starter dose. Then, I titrated up to the 7.5 mg dose and have been on this dose for about a month now. Starting weight 226, down to 214, up to 218 this week which is disappointing. I've been exercising more and eating a low carb, whole foods diet. I've experienced constipation and depression since starting this drug. I'm managing the constipation with more fiber and water, and the depression with CBT but it's been difficult. I'm going to give it a few more weeks and see what happens. May try something else if still no positive results."

• Jan...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 12, 2015

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Time for another update. It has been 7 months, and I have had great results. Down 37 lbs. Slow but steady. From 251 lbs. down to 214. From size 18W to almost a regular old 16, no more women plus size for me. Also wearing XL shirts now, not plus sizes, and I was wearing a 42F bra, which I need to start wearing a 38F. My Dr. was so pleased when she saw me this month after 7 months of not having seen me. She actually only wants me to lose 30 more. I was on the higher dose 11 for 2 months but didn't like the tingling, insomnia, and constipation, so I had her put me back on the 7.5 strength. I do say walking is huge in losing it in the pant sizes. Feeling great and encouraged, and looking hot at 56 years old."

• Jan...
• September 5, 2016

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I have had weight loss success with Qsymia that I have not been able to achieve before, 60 lbs in 7 months. I have had some uncomfortable side effects, but nothing to the point where I have felt the need to discontinue the drug. These include tingling of feet, dry mouth, and constipation. I did experience extreme vaginal dryness and an overall feeling of agitation on the highest dose 15+, so went back to and stayed on the 7+ and added exercise."

• Anonymous
• October 26, 2015

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I have been on Qsymia as an alternative to weight loss surgery. It has worked very well for me. I have lost 95 lbs! As my weight went down, I increased my activity level and have been making better food choices, but the drug has done the heavy lifting in the weight loss. I have had very few side effects. I had some constipation at the beginning. I occasionally notice some tingling in my feet at night, and I don't sleep as much as I used to before starting the drug. I don't feel tired, I just don't require as much sleep. I have some hair loss, but that is normal with any rapid weight loss. The great part is I have my life back. I am traveling, enjoying hiking with my husband, and participating in activities I could only watch a year ago."

• Swe...
• May 27, 2014

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "It has been about 3 months now since I started taking it, and I am down 25 lbs. I am at the second dosage, and the only side effect I have is constipation, but my doctor has given me Miralax to help me with that. In the beginning, my LFTs were elevated, and this past week for my 3-month check-up, all my labs are normal. I will continue because I have a long way to go along with my diet and exercise, but with my newfound motivation, I am going to get there."

• Mam...
• August 19, 2016

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I am 5' 8", 53. Start weight 233. Start date 6/27/16, as of today, 8/19/16, I am down 30 pounds. 203! Yes, I have some side effects, but I have learned to deal. Constipated, have a serving of raw pumpkin seeds to get things moving. Dry mouth, drink, drink, drink! Water, of course. Feeling foggy. I feel so much less loopy after I get my daily exercise in, don't know why, but it changes. Water also helps with the loopy, foggy feeling. The side effects are minimal, as this drug works along with a diet change and an exercise plan. I take the 7.5, which takes my food craving away."

• tif...
• July 7, 2013

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "July 7, 2013. Day 32-still no reliable scale, but as of today, have gone from size 14 to a size 10. Started regular Qsymia dose on June 20. Worked out 2 days with weights, 2 days of cardio, 1200-1300 calories per day, and lots of water, about 80 ounces daily. Side effects are dry mouth and some mild constipation. June 14, 2013, 7 days into the starter dose with no side effects. It does curb the appetite and definitely helps with the cravings for sweets. I don't own a reliable scale, but my clothes are considerably looser, and my sister says I have definitely lost at least 5 lbs. We'll see what the rest of the starter dose and the 7.5 mg dose does, along with working out with a personal trainer twice a week. I'll check back in 5 weeks."

• lib...
• February 24, 2013

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "My Dr. agreed to oversee putting me on Qsymia because he watched as I devotedly pursued everything else to no avail. I have now been on this for 1 week and have dropped 3 lbs. I have 60 to go and have all the patience in the world as long as I see progress. I do get tired midday, lay down, ten minutes, get up. I do get constipated but take those probiotic gummies that seem to help. I crave sweet, but nothing really sounds good. I plan to start walking just a mile daily."

• Pam...
• September 11, 2015

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I have been on Qsymia for more than a year. Most of my weight loss was in the first 8 months, then I hit a plateau. But staying on the medication has helped me maintain the weight loss. I would highly recommend a good exercise plan and nutritional diet to help after coming off the medication. I did not experience any side effects mentioned by others besides constipation. This medication just helps you realize portion control, not starvation."

• Bel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 27, 2016

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I have been trying to lose weight on my own for a year. I have hypothyroid issues, was 252 plus pounds, 5'9", 60 y/o female. I ate 1,300 to 1,500 calories per day, vigorously exercised 3 times a week, and lost 17 lbs over 9 months. Then it stopped cold, no matter what I did, I couldn't lose any more weight. After talking to my doctor about my frustration with my slow metabolism, she prescribed Qsymia. I started in mid-September, and I've lost 17 lbs more in 2 months. I'm now down to 217 and falling. I feel good and plan to keep going. Biggest side effects are fatigue and constipation. I can handle that. I like being able to feel my hip bones again."

• Dit...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 9, 2013

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I have a history of diabetes, heart disease, and have suffered with migraines my whole life. My weight was becoming a concern, and I love to be active. I started on Qsymia Feb 5th. I was 220 lbs and no waist. I am down 20 pounds. Issues I had to address were constipation. I now take 2 magnesium 250 in the evening and make sure fiber and calorie intake is sufficient. I also wasn't sleeping great, so I began taking Deep Sleep, it is awesome, so in combination, I may only be losing 1/2 to 1 lb a week. I feel like I am so going forward. I am not as anxious about my weight not coming off fast. I haven't had but one or two headaches, not even a full-scale migraines. Just be patient and really focus on making good changes along the way. Wish insurance covered it."

• Beg...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 20, 2016

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I started Qsymia in 2013 at 300 lbs. In 8 months, was down about 60 lbs, but the side effects became unbearable. Mostly terrible constipation, aggressive behavior, and cognitive impairment. Took a break for a few months, then resumed with a little more success. Lost a total of 90, but then put 50 back on. Getting ready to see the doctor to try it again. Really want to hit my goal this time."

• Sta...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 7, 2014

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "In the beginning, I did get headaches, they lasted maybe about 3 weeks. I have been on Qsymia for almost 6 weeks. I lost 13 lbs the first 3.5 weeks. I haven't lost a lb since. I don't understand, I have actually gained 2 of those back. It did not curb my appetite at all. I would say it did give me a little more energy. I did not get constipated as I hear you get, however, it does make soda taste horrible. I don't know how I am feeling about this. I have been walking and exercising and changed the way I eat, so I just thought I would have seen more of a result, especially for the money. I am going to try one more month and see what happens."

• Bet...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 7, 2019

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "37 y.o. female, 5’2, 238 lbs. Day one, took Qsymia first level for one month, noticed curb in appetite, ate less/made healthier choices - no weight loss. Doctor bumped me up to second level dose for one month. Same. No weight loss, just $200 poorer because the medication is so expensive. Worst side effect for me is constipation. I stay so bloated I had to go on a laxative in order to use the bathroom. Extremely disappointed that I changed my habits with no results."

• Jil...
• February 5, 2016

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I started Qsymia on December 1, 2015, and so far I am down 25 pounds. This medication has curbed my appetite immensely and has completely changed the way I look at food. Now I eat to live; I don't live to eat. I do have dry mouth and some occasional tingling in my feet, but nothing too bothersome. I also get some constipation, but I have GI issues from multiple autoimmune diseases, so that side effect kind of counteracts that in my favor. The only complaint is that my insurance doesn't cover it, so my current dosage runs about $130 per month; however, that's a small price to pay to lose the weight. The weight loss is strictly the change in diet so far, as I really haven't gotten back to an exercise regimen yet."

• D-n...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 13, 2016

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I am a 52 yr old female weighing 160 pounds. I started the low dose 14-day trial about 2 months ago. I lost 2 lbs immediately. Side effects were loss of appetite and constipation. When I started the higher 7.5 dose, my digestive system instantly shut down. I took a stool softener and laxative daily, and I still could not go to the restroom. I drink 70-85 oz. of water and take 'It Works' 'greens supplement' daily to get a decent intake of fruits and vegetables. Long story short, I can only take 1 pill once every 5 to 6 days; otherwise, I am miserable and extremely stopped up. Since getting the prescription filled on May 14, 2016, I have only taken 7 pills. I have an appointment to see my doc in a few days. Have lost 3 pounds."

• Min...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 13, 2014

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I can't share much yet because I literally started this medication last Sunday (today is Thursday). Only have two complaints - the cost is the first one! I hate that insurance won't cover this, and #2 (something I see no one else complain about!) is constipation! It's awful. Just a few days in and I do take Colace every day, plus I also take Miralax. I even took senna tablets last night, and nothing. Ugh! That's so uncomfortable. I haven't weighed myself yet, I will do it this Sunday and see if anything has been lost one week down."

• TD3...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 14, 2016

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I began taking this medication in September 2014. I used it for 6 months and lost 50 pounds. I had a few side effects such as constipation and loss of sleep, but both were very manageable. This medication reduced my appetite so much that at times I had to force myself to eat just to make sure I was taking in at least 1,000 calories a day as directed by my doctor. I went off the medication and gained about 10 pounds back, so now I am restarting the medicine after being off a while. It's no miracle drug, but it is a great tool."

• Ron...
• May 4, 2017

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Started Jan 2017 at 222 lb and, in two months, lost 20 lbs because I had no appetite, then stopped losing but kept taking the pills another month with no loss. Had headaches, extreme irritability, had to tell my boss I was taking a new medication. I was so tired and had black under eyes. Constipated, dry mouth, and nose. Now into May 2017, weighing 202, and just stopped taking it and haven't gained it back. Maybe I will take a few weeks off and try to go back and see if I can lose more. My out-of-pocket was $90/month."

• Cys...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 28, 2022

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I had a bad experience with this drug. While taking it, everything seemed relatively normal until I couldn’t concentrate or sleep. I felt like I had ADHD, always starting something new before finishing what I was working on. I started having a hard time sleeping and needed less sleep. I became incredibly constipated despite eating a fiber-full diet. I never felt the appetite or craving suppressants that this pill was supposed to help with. I had an even worse time coming off this pill. I was wiped of all energy, my brain was foggy, I started my period despite using my 3-month birth control, and it was the most painful period I have had in 15 years. I also wish my doctor explained that if this drug worked, I would have to be on it for life."

• Chu...
• November 17, 2015

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "I started taking Qsymia on 11/14/15, so for I am experiencing 2 of the known side effects: problem sleeping. I am a sleeper, so I know this could very well be the meds, and also constipation. I haven't gotten on the scale yet, I just hope it's working..."

• DNW...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 16, 2022

For Weight Loss (Obesity/Overweight) "Took the 2-week starter dose. It made me feel lethargic and apathetic. I didn't feel like exercising. I would have been content to spend the day in a chair. I lost 4 pounds changing nothing. I think it was water weight. I then took the next dose for one week. I got terribly constipated with abdominal pain. I lost no weight on the increased dose. It did not change my appetite, and it took away my energy. I stopped taking the drug after 3 weeks total. 61-year-old woman, 5 feet 3 inches, 180 pounds."